RANCHING Wildlife
mated at 50,000 animals. Densities can be quite high in the area, however, exceeding 30 deer per 1,000 acres and in better habitat, 66 deer per 1,000 acres.
What does this mean for 2014 hunting? The bottom line from a hunter’s perspective is that
there will be plenty of animals to pursue in 2014. For the most part, hunters can expect to see about
the same number of deer as in 2013. Deer population trends in most regions of the state are stable, or in some cases increasing at a slow rate. If you want to increase your odds of harvesting a
deer in 2014, consider hunting the Hill Country, which supports the highest deer population in the state. With that target-rich environment, hunters should be able to put some venison in the freezer this year. Although Texas has a healthy and abundant deer
population, if we see a good mast crop (the fruit of forest trees, such as acorns) this year in the early fall, hunting season will be a bit more challenging because deer may not visit the corn feeder as frequently. It’s still a little early to predict acorn or mesquite bean production, so hunters will have to take the wait-and-see approach as to how that may play out.
Implications of fawn production While most hunters typically don’t harvest fawns,
fawn production each fall is extremely important. It translates into adult deer, specifi cally into adult bucks in later years. In years with poor fawn production, hunters should
expect to see fewer bucks in that particular age class in each of the coming years, as the group matures. Looking back at TPWD deer survey data over the last 9 years or so, we see statewide fawn crop estimates were good in 2007, 2010, 2012 and 2013. Those good fawn crops – greater than 45 percent – mean a good number of young bucks in the 1.5- and 2.5-year-old age classes and a good number of 4.5- and 7.5-year-old bucks, as compared to other age classes. Based on range conditions this year I would expect
fawn crops to be average to above average as a result of the improved range conditions.
Hunter performance During the 2013 season an estimated 625,577 deer
were harvested of which 330,535 were bucks and 295,042 were does. Hunter success was estimated to be 58 percent with
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thecattlemanmagazine.com
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